A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Click here to support our ministry.The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Friday, December 21, 2012  "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons" (Galatians 4:4,5). "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore" (Revelation 1:17,18). God sent His son, they called him Jesus He came to love, heal and forgive He lived and died to buy my pardon An empty grave is there to prove My Savior lives Early this week I (Brooksyne) awakened to the words of a familiar Gaither tune, "God sent His Son. They called Him Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive…" And then the words to the chorus further brightened my spirit, "Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives." I believe this song brought hope and renewal to my heart since I had gone to bed the night before with such heaviness of heart from the 24/7 coverage of the school massacre that took place in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday. This hymn classic is commonly sung at Easter, but for the first time I considered its Christmas message as well: "God sent His Son", a picture of Emmanuel, "God with us". When sorrows like sea billows roll…Emmanuel. In the midst of unspeakable loss…Emmanuel. When uncertainty arises….Emmanuel. When tragedy strikes…Emmanuel. When our health declines…Emmanuel. During a major career change…Emmanuel. When I've really messed up...Emmanuel. In each of life's challenges, big or small, God is with us. He clears our path, sharpens our vision, renews our hope, and guides us with His right hand. Now that's good news, dear friend! In our Scripture text the apostle Paul does not refer to the Christmas story as recorded in Matthew and Luke. Instead he reflects on the events of Christ's incarnation (birth). His intriguing phrase, "When the fullness of the time came" describes that wonderful moment in space and time when God acted on our behalf in sending His Son to redeem a lost and very needy people. And now 2,000 years later we place our hope in the wonderful truth that He lives forevermore. "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore" (Revelation 1:17,18). And then one day I'll cross the river I'll fight life's final war with pain And then as death gives way to victory I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, what assurance fills our heart when we consider the spoken promise of Jesus, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." It is in keeping with the name given at Christ's coming to earth, "Emmanuel" - God with us. You are with us before we draw our first breath. You are with us when we struggle to draw our final breath. And You are with us in all life's struggles between our first and final breath. You guide us with Your right hand, not from a distance checking in with us here and there. You are our friend who sticks closer than a brother. We thank You, Father, for Your giving and we thank You, Jesus, for Your coming. Amen.A note of humor from a reader: After reading Thursday's Daily Encouragement, I just had to send this to you. When I was about 12 or so, my dad, who was a minister in the Church of the Brethren for many years, took me with him when he went to preach at a small church in Perkasie. I sat in the first row (where he could keep an eye on me, I suppose) and was fascinated at the carved wooden letters on the front of the pulpit which read - "Sir, we would see Jesus". On the ride home I mentioned to dad that that was neat and he said, "Yeah, but you didn't see the message posted on the back of the pulpit which only I could see." I asked him what it said. He told me the sign on the back said, "The sermon can be preached in 20 minutes" (Back in those days my dad was not a 20 minute preacher and apparently took umbrage of that idea). He thought for a while, then said, " Huh, they want to see Jesus in 20 minutes".  Wednesday's message featured a button symbolizing "No L". Spoken aloud, it sounds like the name of the Christmas song, "No-el"! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Because He Lives" Video Gaither Vocal Band "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" Video Selah "Immanuel" Video Charles Billingsley Resources for Christmas Celebrations (We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas) Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. "In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message. Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down). Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/12)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. Click here to donate online. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 12/20/12: $17,296.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry! SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. Please feel free to pass these messages on! Our other blogs: "A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) (Note: This material is satire!) "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!) "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. Personal Mission Statement "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."  How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. © Copyright 2012 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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